TRAVEL? DO NOT USE YOUR WIFI WITHOUT READING THIS!

WIFI AND VPNS

Recent news reports that hackers on public Wi-Fi are becoming a major concern! Because many public hotspots don’t require data encryption, i.e. the use of a security key, (T-Mobile and AT&T in particular, which support many free city networks), 95 percent of Wi-Fi data traffic is unencrypted.

This means these transmit your personal information in the clear. Someone could eavesdrop on your phone or computer activity if they connect to the same network and and easily steal passwords for bank accounts, email, and other personal information.

This is where a VPN client comes in!

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is an encrypted "tunnel" from your device to the VPN server, so all the information you send while the VPN is running is scrambled and no one can read your data.

Do not to use an unsecured WiFi connection for anything other than simply browsing web sites that don't require any login or password information.

WE RECOMMEND TUNNELBEAR VPN CLIENT

On a recent trip to Atlanta, GA- we tested TunnelBear and love it. Very easy to install and use on our laptops, cell phones and tablets, they include a Free version for you to try. After installing Tunnel Bear we saw zero loss of internet responsiveness – a key metric for us!

When we travel we continue with our tech support and web development business and having secure connections is a must. Tunnel Bear meets that need perfectly. You can pay by the month so if you only travel here and there, that plan is the one to try – unlimited data and fairly priced!

WIFI TRAVEL BEST PRACTICES

Tips for safe WiFi Usage

1. Keep Wi-Fi and Bluetooth disabled on your phone unless you are on a trusted and secure network.

2. When connecting to a public Wi-Fi network, use a virtual private network (VPN) to protect any data or password information that's sent and received.

3. Always verify that the public Wi-Fi you are using is authentic—hackers can set up similar-looking networks to trick users into logging on and potentially exposing private data on unsecure channels.

4. When possible, use dual-factor authentication on your personal accounts—like confirmation text messages or emails—to ensure that if a password is hacked, a second form of protection will prevent unwanted access.

5. Never use the same password for all of your personal online accounts.

WiFi Equipment

We love Open-Mesh! Contact Us to Learn More

Open Mesh helps anyone create powerful, easy-to-use networks that automatically spread Internet connections throughout hotels, apartments, retail stores, restaurants, small and medium-sized businesses—and just about anywhere else. With no onsite controllers to install or maintain, it’s easy to scale across large sites and multiple locations—all from a single, free central dashboard.